Red hair

Embarrassed, Mimie remained seated at the table alone. She ignored the prying eyes of others around and tried to calm herself. She was utterly short of words. She drove her gaze back to where Rio had sat. And how he’d dismissed her with his unkind words. This was the second time he’d abandoned her for that red-haired girl. Just because she looked at his wife, she was sure. She could feel tears streaking down her cheeks. Silent tears. But she made no vocal sound, picked up her purse and sashayed out of the restaurant. She couldn't let people see how much Rio had gotten to her. She sniffled lightly as she waved down a cab. She got in and held close to herself. Didn't Rio know that nothing could bring Sarah back? He was better off moving on from her.

“Are you alright ma’am?” the cab driver pried into her emotions. She looked up at the rear view mirror. His green eyes appeared so worried. The tears on her face must have given her away. She’d been sobbing silently.

“I’m alright,” she lied. "Just recalling good old memories.” She forced a smile. Her nose was terribly clogged with snort. The driver averted his gaze back to the steering wheel. Her mind found its way back to her unpleasant thoughts.

I can't possibly give up now, she thought.

She couldn't just let him go. No! She would keep fighting to have him.

***

A certain aura swept across where Rio and Anita sat. They had found a suitable table in the restaurant. One far away from where he’d sat with Mimie. He could feel Sarah in her presence. Or rather, he was only imagining things. His senses could never forget what being around her felt like. And indeed, what she smelt like. Anita’s hazy eyes were excited. She seemed just as free-spirited as Sarah had been. Being around her was the most soothing moment he had had in a while. If he was not ignoring his daughter, he was enduring his mother’s nagging.

“Sorry for interrupting your date. The lady you were with didn't seem so pleased about it,” she said.

“There's no need to apologize. It was a blind date,” he said. He didn't really care about how Mimie felt. Not that he disliked her. He just wasn't attracted to her in any way. He was disappointed when he found out she was his date. He'd hoped for someone else. Someone that would make him forget Sarah for just a few seconds. And he was glad Anita had appeared to rescue him from the date.

“I’ve been receiving a lot of pressure to move on from my dead wife. So, a friend set me up for a blind date. Blind dates are not usually my thing. In fact, that was my first blind date.”

Anita laughed a bit. And in a way Sarah would have.

"So what brought you here?” he said, leaning forward.

Her face beamed with a smile while she scoured her brain for the right excuse. She couldn't let him know that she was stalking him.

“Just came here to have something nice to eat.”

“Okay.” He looked like he bought her lie.

Anita’s phone chimed in her bag. Who could it be, she thought. She zipped open her bag and brought out her phone. It was her mom. She tapped the answer button and put the phone to her ear.

“Wanted to check up on you sweetie?” her mother said.

"I’m doing okay mom. You?” They hadn’t spoken in a while.

Rio took his phone out of his wallet and scanned through his unread messages.

“So, how’s your job at the firm going? I know that being a lawyer can be very stressful.”

Anita thought twice before she spoke.

"Work at the law firm is going well mom,” she lied. Rio looked up at her. His bright blue eyes were totally surprised.

"There are new interesting cases to deal with everyday. Reliable people to work with. I couldn't have asked for a better job.”

Anita knew she had a lot of explaining to do.

“That's wonderful to hear, sweetie. Your father has already retired to bed. You know how he likes to sleep early. I’ll be joining him after I drop this call.”

“Okay mom,” Anita said into the phone.

"Bye sweetie. Love you.”

"Love you too mom.”

Her mom hit the end call button.

She put her cellphone back into her pocket. All the while, Rio’s curious eyes remained on her.

She set her gaze back on him.

“I thought you were a writer,” he queried.

“I am,” she said, trying to calm her thrashing nerves. She couldn't let him get wind of the truth.

“Then why mention to your mom your experience working in a law firm? Are you also a lawyer?”

She looked away.

"I’m not,” she replied. "I lied to my mom.”

His eyes grew wider with more surprise.

“Why would you do that?”

It was time to play her A.

“It's a long story,” her voice shook as though she was fighting back tears.

She let her eyes turn wet while tears seeped down her chill.

Rio felt sorry for her even though he didn't quite understand what the problem was.

“Lying about being a lawyer is my only means of keeping them sane.

"My parents always wanted me to study law. But I never had any interest in studying law. I wanted to pursue writing. But I saw what it did to them. So I lied and kept lying to keep them safe.”

Rio understood better now. Frankly, he wasn't an advocate of lying. But in this case, he couldn't blame her for trying to make her parents happy.”

He handed her a facial wipe.

“I’ll come clean after I become a successful writer. Just want to get my book published.”

“Don’t worry about that. I’ll help you to get your book published.”

This delighted Anita. Her plan had worked perfectly.